Tesla Model S 2012
Posted: Fri Jun 05, 2009 5:18 pm
Car and Driver wrote:Tesla announced earlier that the Model S will have a retail price of $57,400. The company said a $7,500 federal tax credit for plug-in hybrids and EVs will bring the effective price down to $49,900.
The company's two-passenger Roadster starts at $109,000 and is built in England by Lotus.
The standard lithium-ion battery pack that comes with the Model S is good for a 160-mile range, the company said. An optional battery pack will extend the range to 300 miles and can be quick-charged in 45 minutes.
The Model S has a surprisingly sleek exterior design. Aluminum body panels will help keep the weight down to around 4,000 pounds.
The high-tech cockpit houses two LCD screens, including a touchscreen panel in the center console. Two rear-facing seats in the cargo area will turn the five-passenger sedan into a seven-seater.
Sport and AWD versions of the Model S are planned. Tesla expects to build about 20,000 units a year when full production is reached after 2012.
